Turtle Bay Music School's PERFORM-A-THON to Kick Off with Jason Robert Brown, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and More, 5/15

Turtle Bay Music School's 10th Annual Perform-A-Thon will be held Friday, May 16th through Sunday, May 18th. The community music marathon opens on Thursday, May 15th with a Kickoff Concert and Reception, featuring performances by a trio from the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Mark O'Connor, Jason Robert Brown, and Sujari Britt. The evening honors Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and the Herbert M. Citrin Foundation for their support. Kickoff Concert tickets are $100 for VIP table seating or give as you are able for concert seating.

Perform-A-Thon is the cornerstone of TBMS's annual fundraising campaign to support its free and low-cost music programming, including public school music education partnerships, outreach to community and senior centers, free public concert series, and scholarships and financial aid requests. With a fundraising goal of $100,000 for 2014, TBMS is grateful to Perform-A-Thon's sponsors and Kickoff Concert performers for their outstanding support.

The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is a Grammy award-winning, innovative orchestra that places democracy at the center of the artistic process. Its musicians perform without a conductor and are involved in every aspect of the organization, lending a distinct empowerment and energy to their performances.

Critically acclaimed fiddler Mark O'Connor is known for his virtuoso performances, prolific compositions, and the Mark O'Connor Method, a string instrument technique for teachers and students. Mr. O'Connor has won two Grammy awards and collaborated with a range of accomplished artists, from Yo-Yo Ma to Alison Krauss.

13 year-old Sujari Britt is a sensationally talented young cellist who has already graced stages at the White House, the United Nations, and Carnegie Hall. She has been featured on NBC and TED Talks, has earned multiple awards and scholarships, and was the Grand Prize winner of the New York Concerti Sinfonietta Shining Stars competition in 2013.

Jason Robert Brown is a musical theater composer, lyricist, and playwright, referred to by the New York Times as "a leading member of a new generation of composers who embody high hopes for the American musical." His work has garnered Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics' Circle, and Tony Awards among many others.

Following the Kickoff Concert, Perform-A-Thon features three days of performances by TBMS students, faculty, community members, and guest artists, plus a bake sale and raffle. Performers raise a minimum of $30 to sign up, and all are welcome to participate!

To RSVP for the Kickoff Concert or to sign up for a performance slot at Perform-A-Thon, email emma@tbms.org or call (212) 753-8811. The Kickoff Concert will be held Thursday, May 15th at 7:00 pm. Community performances take place Friday, May 16th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday May 17th from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Sunday May 18th from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. All events take place in TBMS's Em Lee Concert Hall at 244 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022. For more information, call (212) 753-8811 or visit www.tbms.org.